THE company behind controversial plans for a £40 million tourism development at the southern end of Loch Lomond has revealed early details of its new plans for the area.
Flamingo Land withdrew its original "Lomond Banks" proposals for the West Riverside and Woodbank House sites in Balloch in September 2019 after planning officers recommended they should be refused permission - and after more than 50,000 people objected to the plans.
The company now says it is "breaking away from its traditional portfolio of theme parks" with plans for a development - still known as Lomond Banks - including family accommodation, facilities for visitors and the local community including a craft brewery, leisure centre, restaurants and landscape upgrades to public footpaths, dog walking routes and greenspaces.
READ MORE: Lomond Banks planning application is withdrawn after officials recommend refusals
An Environmental Impact Assessment scoping request was submitted on Tuesday, June 1 ahead of a formal PAN (proposal of application notice) to The Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.
Jim Paterson, development director for the Lomond Banks project, said: “We have listened to the issues raised around the original proposal and with further feedback will look to make some important, very significant, amendments to the plans to ensure Lomond Banks will be in keeping with its environment.
"We also want to reassure the local community that consultation is at the heart of our plans.
READ MORE: Lomond Banks 'is most unpopular planning application in Scottish history', claims MSP
"Our intention here from the outset was never to build a theme park but to bring to the area a development that has the potential to become a world-class tourism destination that benefits the local community and economy.
“Our environmental and commercial commitment to Balloch and West Riverside remains strong and our proposed development comes at a time when economic investment and meaningful growth in the local tourism market is required.
"We want to complement what makes Loch Lomond so attractive to visitors, and our aim would be to invest locally, hire locally, and work with local businesses to maximise the benefits of the development for all.
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